The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 originally mandated that Positive Train Control systems be installed by the end of 2015, but was granted extensions to allow for extended testing time..(Source: Federal Railroad Administration)

A system that was intended to be implemented by the end of 2015 could have prevented the deadly train crash that occurred on Sunday that claimed the lives of two Amtrak employees and sent over 100 passengers to the hospital when Amtrak Train 91 collided with a stationary CSX freight train.

A system that was intended to be implemented by the end of 2015 could have prevented the deadly train crash that occurred on Sunday that claimed the lives of two Amtrak employees and sent over 100 passengers to the hospital when Amtrak Train 91 collided with a stationary CSX freight train.

Matthew Cheeseman, from North Carolina, says he's very thankful that he and his family are OK. (Source: WIS)

A North Carolina man traveling to Disney World on Amtrak Train 91 before it crashed says that the collision was a jarring experience, but raved about first responders and others who helped he and other passengers.

A North Carolina man traveling to Disney World on Amtrak Train 91 before it crashed says that the collision was a jarring experience, but raved about first responders and others who helped he and other passengers.

President Donald Trump, along with numerous federal and local representatives, reached out via Twitter to send his condolences to the victims and families affected by the Cayce, SC train accident that occurred early Sunday morning that claimed the lives of two Amtrak employees and put over 100 more individuals in the hospital.

President Donald Trump, along with numerous federal and local representatives, reached out via Twitter to send his condolences to the victims and families affected by the Cayce, SC train accident that occurred early Sunday morning that claimed the lives of two Amtrak employees and put over 100 more individuals in the hospital.

Facebook's safety check-in crisis response feature has resurfaced and was last used during Hurricane Irma. The crash in Cayce has claimed two lives and sent numerous others to the hospital. (Source: Facebook)

Facebook has deployed a safety check-in feature in response to Sunday's deadly train crash in Cayce.

Facebook has deployed a safety check-in feature in response to Sunday's deadly train crash in Cayce.

CAYCE, SC (WIS) -

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading an investigation on an Amtrak-CSX train collision that killed two and injured more than 100 passengers in Cayce, SC early Sunday morning.

NTSB chief Robert Sumwalt said during a 4 p.m. press conference the crash site says the Amtrak train was traveling on CSX tracks owned by CSX. The lines, as shown by a hand-written diagram, were in a "lined and locked" position, meaning that instead of continuing their track south, the Amtrak train traveled to another track, where it collided with a parked CSX train.

The key to their investigation, Sumwalt said, is to determine why a switch was engaged. He says the speed limit in the area of the crash is 59 mph.

“We have heard but not confirmed that the signals were being worked on,” Sumwalt said.

NTSB, who is leading the investigation saying that an Amtrak outward-facing camera was recovered and was taken back to Washington, DC. The Amtrak train was traveling on CSX tracks. The Amtrak train was seven cars and one locomotive with 139 passengers and 8 Amtrak train personnel; the CSX train was two locomotives.

“We never speculate,” Sumwalt says. “We just want to deal with the facts."

The Lexington County Coroner's Office says Michael Kempf, 54, of Savannah, GA and Michael Cella, 36, of Orange Park, FL, were the two killed in the collision. Kempf was the engineer of the Amtrak train and Cella was the conductor of the train. State officials say 116 people were injured in the train collision.

Palmetto Health officials said in a Sunday afternoon briefing they received a total of 62 patients - 59 adults and 3 children - with 6 of them being admitted and more admissions still possible. One of the patients admitted is in critical condition while two other patients are in serious condition. The rest of the patients are listed in fair condition. Most of the injuries seen were minor. Some of the Amtrak personnel were also treated at Palmetto Health facilities. Their conditions are not known at this time.

Lexington Medical Center spokesperson Jennifer Wilson confirmed that they treated 27 patients with minor injuries, and all but two have been released.

The William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center took in 12 patients, of which one was a veteran, the medical center said in a statement. Eight of the patients have been released while one patient was transported to another hospital for further care. The other patients are expected to be released soon.

Most of the patients were transported by two buses. One bus from Richland County and one bus from Lexington County.

Palmetto Health officials described the response to the incident as phenomenal with amazing coordination. Since patients began arriving at the hospitals during a shift change, staff that was already on site stayed late to assist with the staff that was just arriving.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster says it "appears that the Amtrak train was on the wrong track" that led to the deadly train crash and derailment. The coroner's office says the southbound Amtrak train collided with a northbound CSX freight train, which was stationary, causing the Amtrak train to derail.

Amtrak expressed their condolences for those killed in the collision in their latest statement:

We are deeply saddened to report the death of two of our employees in this morning’s derailment in Cayce, South Carolina. Additionally, affected customers reporting injuries have been transported to local hospitals.

We are cooperating fully with the NTSB, which is leading the investigation, as well as working with FRA and CSX. CSX owns and controls the Columbia Subdivision where the accident occurred. CSX maintains all of the tracks and signal systems. CSX controls the dispatching of all trains, including directing the signal systems which control the access to sidings and yards.

Amtrak is working to take care of everyone who was on the train, including family members of our passengers and crew.

Details:

Amtrak Train 91, operating between New York and Miami, came in contact with a CSX freight train at around 2:35 a.m. ET in Cayce, South Carolina. The lead engine derailed, as well as some passenger cars. There were 8 crew members and approximately 139 customers on board. Local authorities are on the scene responding.

Customer information:

People who have questions about customers on the train can contact us at 800-523-9101.

Service information:

Due to this incident and the resulting temporary track closure, Trains 91 & 92, the Amtrak Silver Star will detour between Hamlet, N.C., and Savannah, Ga., until further notice. Passengers will be provided alternate transportation to missed stops, as available.

Our sincere condolences go out to the families of the two individuals who passed away following the tragic events that took place in Cayce, South Carolina early this morning. We remain focused on providing assistance and support to those impacted by today’s incident. CSX hosts more passenger trains on its network than any other major railroad in the United States, and passenger rail remains one of the safest ways to travel. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into this incident and CSX will continue working with the investigating team.